Review: Apple TV 4K (2d gen, 2021)
Apple’s second-generation Apple TV 4K shipped in May 2021 with an A12 Bionic chip, the same processor found in 2018 iPhones. Up for examination: the hardware upgrades, the limitations of its HDMI 2.1 implementation, and whether the redesigned Siri remote justifies the purchase. Continue reading Review: Apple TV 4K (2d gen, 2021)
How To: Synology DS1821+ Network Attached Storage (NAS) & DSM 7.0
A significant upgrade, the Synology DS1821+ replaces the DS1819+’s Atom C3538 with an AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core processor and adds two built-in M.2 NVMe slots. We cover the hardware differences, SSD caching trade-offs, and notable DSM 7.0 features relevant to the upgrade decision. The performance gap between these two units is larger than the model numbers suggest. Continue reading How To: Synology DS1821+ Network Attached Storage (NAS) & DSM 7.0
How To: Home Network 5.0 with Ubiquiti WiFi 6 Long Range & Protect G4 Review & Calibration
Building a fully integrated smart home spans at least seven distinct technology categories, each with its own ecosystem and trade-offs. This installment recaps the full smart home series: managed UniFi networking, Lutron Caséta lighting, Synology NAS storage, UniFi Protect cameras, NextGen TV tuners, and a multi-room AV setup built around LG OLEDs, Sonos, and Apple TV 4K. Continue reading How To: Home Network 5.0 with Ubiquiti WiFi 6 Long Range & Protect G4 Review & Calibration
How To: ATSC 3.0 & the HDHomeRun QUATRO 4K
ATSC 3.0 brings 4K HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio to free over-the-air television. We examine the technical upgrades, the hybrid broadcast transition currently underway, and the hardware required to receive the signal. We test Silicon Dust’s HDHomeRun QUATRO 4K tuner firsthand and assess emerging capabilities including targeted advertising and CDN delivery. Continue reading How To: ATSC 3.0 & the HDHomeRun QUATRO 4K
How To: Home Network 4.0 with Ubiquiti Unifi Dream Machine Pro, Switch Pro, Flex Mini, Smart Power Plug & UPS Review & Calibration
We are now on our fourth-generation home network build-out, including Ubiquiti’s UniFi Dream Machine Pro, a 48-port PoE switch, managed Flex Mini switches, and Protect camera system. Ubiquiti’s UDM Pro consolidates a network firewall, IDS/IPS, controller, and security camera NVR into a single rack-mounted appliance. Also covered are two smaller additions: the Flex Mini and Smart Power Plug, which handle edge cases like last-drop switching and WAN recovery. Continue reading How To: Home Network 4.0 with Ubiquiti Unifi Dream Machine Pro, Switch Pro, Flex Mini, Smart Power Plug & UPS Review & Calibration
My Wish List for the Next Apple TV & tvOS
In our home, seven Apple TV 4K set top boxes handle everything from live TV and gaming to security cameras and music streaming. But, all of it runs on hardware Apple has not refreshed in two years. Here, we present what we would include in the next Apple TV version: 120 Hz output, better audio codec support, a faster chip, and critical tvOS fixes.
Continue reading My Wish List for the Next Apple TV & tvOS
How To: Sonos Amp Review & Configuration
The Sonos Amp replaces a Connect:Amp design that dated back nearly a decade and topped out at modest power output. Our hands-on review includes a full configuration walkthrough of the Sonos Amp in a rack-mounted, multi-zone passive speaker installation. We also take a detailed look at how the Amp handles whole-home deployments that its predecessor could not. Continue reading How To: Sonos Amp Review & Configuration
How To: Android Auto 5.5 for Navigation & Entertainment on a BMW S1000XR
The BMW S1000XR includes a factory navigation quick-disconnect coupler that accepts a third-party smartphone mount, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPS unit. This article covers installing that mount on an S1000XR and running Android Auto 5.5 on a Motorola G6, including navigation, music, and voice control. With Android Auto 5.5, Waze became available alongside Google Maps as a supported navigation option, giving riders a meaningful choice between the two platforms. Continue reading How To: Android Auto 5.5 for Navigation & Entertainment on a BMW S1000XR
How To: Ubiquiti Unifi Protect Video Security System Review
According to InterNACHI, 34 percent of residential burglars enter through the front door and 81 percent through the first floor. Planning, sizing, and deploying Ubiquiti’s Unifi Protect camera system for whole-home coverage including hardware selection, local versus cloud storage trade-offs, and network configuration are the focuses here. Continue reading How To: Ubiquiti Unifi Protect Video Security System Review
How To: Lutron Caséta Lighting Control System Review
Lutron’s Caséta sits at the entry point of a residential lighting control lineup that segments by device count, coverage area, and whether installation is DIY or professional. Based on our home deployment, we explain switch selection, installation, and integration with Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant. We also present an honest look at where the system’s device and range limits matter in practice. Continue reading How To: Lutron Caséta Lighting Control System Review
How To: Lowering Your BMW S1000XR
The BMW S1000XR ships from the factory with a seat height that leaves even a 190 cm rider stretching to reach the ground at stops. Jerry Skene’s guide covers the complete process of lowering the bike 2.5 cm using Soupy’s Performance adjustable turnbuckle kit, including rear dogbone replacement and matched front fork adjustment. The procedure also requires re-examining kickstand angle after the drop is complete. Continue reading How To: Lowering Your BMW S1000XR
How To: Ubiquiti UniFi Security Gateway Pro 4 & Intrusion Prevention (IPS)
Enabling IPS on the entry-level UniFi USG caps WAN throughput at 85 Mbps, making it impractical for gigabit internet connections. This article walks through upgrading to the USG Pro 4, configuring UniFi’s Suricata-based intrusion prevention system, and selecting threat categories beyond Ubiquiti’s defaults. We cover real-world throughput results, the USG Pro 4’s fan noise issue, and the migration process from the USG.
Continue reading How To: Ubiquiti UniFi Security Gateway Pro 4 & Intrusion Prevention (IPS)
How To: Ubiquiti Cloud Key Gen2 Plus Review & Migration
The Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Key Gen2 Plus consolidates two separate appliances into one: it runs the UniFi SDN controller and serves as a network video recorder for UniFi Protect. The hardware upgrade from our original Cloud Key, the migration process, and the internal hard drive swap are all documented. With only a $20 price gap between the standard Gen2 and the Plus model, we recommend buying the Plus model.
Continue reading How To: Ubiquiti Cloud Key Gen2 Plus Review & Migration
Recipe: Pressure Cooker Arrabbiata Sauce
Rao’s Arrabbiata, named for the Italian word for “angry”, is built on tomatoes, garlic, and crushed red pepper in olive oil. This pressure cooker version draws on techniques from Martha Stewart and J. Kenji López-Alt to produce a full-bodied, low-sugar sauce in a single pot. The ingredient that distinguishes it from the original is fish sauce, added in small quantity for depth without detectable flavor. Continue reading Recipe: Pressure Cooker Arrabbiata Sauce
Recipe: Traditional Fresh Pasta
Traditional fresh pasta dough calls for equal parts semolina and all-purpose flour, combined with whole eggs and yolks for structure and richness. The full process runs from mixing in a KitchenAid stand mixer to rolling through progressively thinner settings. Whether the finished pasta holds its shape or disintegrates in the pot comes down to a single tactile test at the mixing stage. Continue reading Recipe: Traditional Fresh Pasta